Conveying and stacking apparatus for baked goods

ABSTRACT

A portable wheeled frame is positioned between an oven and a packaging table in a bakery. The frame carries two motor-driven conveyor belt systems. One system includes a broad belt extending in a substantially horizontal plane and carrying two rows of aligned baked goods. The second system includes two narrow belts positioned alongside the broad belt and which are inclined downwardly at their terminal ends. Each narrow belt carries a single row of like baked goods. The baked goods carried on the broad belt actuate a switch to drive a stacking chain carrying hook members. Each hook member travels in a plane transverse to the path of travel of the baked goods and displaces two of the aligned baked goods items from the broad belt to a position wherein each is stacked above the corresponding baked goods items on one of the narrow belts. A pair of circular saw blades are secured to a forward shaft which drives the pulleys. The saw blades separate the baked goods items so that they are positioned on their appropriate belts.

United States Patent Kimberling Feb. 22, 1972 [5 1 CONVE A STACKINGPrimary Examiner-Willie o. Abercrombie APPARATUS FOR BAKED GOODSAttorneyPolachek& Saulsbury [72] Inventor: Garland W. Kimberling, RR. 2,[57] ABSTRACT Metamora' A portable wheeled frame is positioned betweenan oven and a [22] Filed: June 29, l970 packaging table in a bakery. Theframe carries two motor- I driven conveyor belt systems. One systemincludes 11 broad 1 Appl 50433 belt extending in a substantiallyhorizontal plane and carrying two rows of aligned baked goods. Thesecond system includes 52 us. 01 ..146/98, 53/159, 83/79, two narrowbelts Positioned alongside the broad belt and 83/91, 198/35 which areinclined downwardly at their terminal ends. Each 511 1111.01 ..B26d 1/14narrow carries a single row of like baked goods- The 581 Field ofSearch..198/35; 53/159, 123; 83/79, baked carried broad actuate a Switch m83/86 87 96 146/98 drive a stacking chain carrying hook members. Eachhook member travels in a plane transverse to the path of travel of thebaked goods and displaces two of the aligned baked goods [56] RelerencesClted items from the broad belt to a position wherein each is stackedabove the corresponding baked goods items on one of the nar- UNITEDSTATES PATENTS row belts. A pair of circular saw blades are secured to afor- 2,8l5,848 12/1957 Jones ..198/35 ward Shaft which drives the P yThe Saw blades Separate 3,106,048 10/1963 Marasso et al ..53/123 thebaked goods items so that y are Positioned on their ppropriate belts.

10 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTE|JFB22 I972 3,843,719

SHEET 1 [IF 3 INVENTOR.

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CONVEYING AND STACKING APPARATUS FOR BAKED GOODS The present inventiondeals with operations in a commercial bakery of the size whichmanufactures baked goods in large quantities and then subsequentlypackage the baked goods for retail distribution. Generally such bakeriesmanufacture baked goods of relatively small size, e.g., buns, muffins,rolls, scones, biscuits, etc., in addition to baked goods of larger sizesuch as bread, cakes, pies, etc. This invention is more particularlyconcerned with the conveying and stacking of the baked goods of smallersize in preparation for retail packaging.

Once the baked goods to which this invention applies leave the bakingoven, they must be cooled for a period of time sufficient to preventdetrimental effects which would result if they were packagedimmediately. In addition to the cooling requirement, it has been foundthat it is most advantageous to package these small baked goods inpackages such that they are stacked with at least one lower level ofbaked goods placed alongside one another and a second level of goodsplaced on top of the first level.

There presently exists a need for a mechanized apparatus suitable forstacking such baked goods and further providing a means whereby thebaked goods are permitted to sufficiently cool to preclude damage due tostacking and packaging.

One problem encountered with existing machinery presently in use forstacking baked goods in a packaging operation is the fact that suchmachinery is extremely complicated, cumbersome, and frequently in needof repair, thus necessitating a reduction in bakery output and,furthermore, they are inherently immobile, thus precluding easyreplacement with a standby device during repair.

A further disadvantage brought about by the immobility of presentstacking machinery is the fact that they may not be moved from one workarea in the bakery to an alternate work area, thus separate stackingmachinery is generally required for each baking oven although not allbaking ovens are in operation at the same time.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bakery conveyingand stacking apparatus of the general character described which is soconstructed that it is not subject to any ofthe foregoing disadvantages.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bakeryconveying and stacking apparatus which is simple in construction, easyto maintain, durable, yet can be manufactured at a cost appreciably lessthan prior devices designed to serve the same function.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bakeryconveying and stacking apparatus of the general character describedwhich may be moved about a bakery area to facilitate the packaging ofbaked goods which are baked in any one ofa plurality of ovens.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bakery conveyingand stacking apparatus of the general character described which includestwo conveyor belt systems for carrying baked goods with a portion of oneof the systems at an elevation lower than the corresponding portion ofthe other system and means for transferring baked goods from the othersystem the one system thereby stacking the baked goods.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bakeryconveying and stacking apparatus of the general character describedwhich includes means for transferring baked goods from one conveyor beltsystem to another conveyor belt system wherein the baked goodstransferred are stacked upon baked goods carried on the other conveyorbelt system.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bakeryconveying and stacking apparatus of the general character describedwhich includes a switch to actuate a baked goods stacking apparatuswhich switch is triggered by baked goods being carried along a conveyorsystem.

Further objects of the invention in part will be obvious and in partwill be pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements and arrangements of parts to be exemplified inthe conveyor system and stacking apparatus hereinafter described and ofwhich the scope of application will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are shown some of the variouspossible embodiments of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view ofa conveying and stacking apparatusconstructed in accordance with and embodying the invention, and showingtwo conveyor belt systems extending along the length of the apparatusand driven by a motor with a stacking device positioned adjacent thedischarge end of the conveyor systems and operable to stack baked goodscarried on one of the systems atop the baked goods carried on the othersystem.

FIG. 2 is a discharge end elevational view of the apparatus showing bothconveyor systems along with the stacking apparatus and a driving motorfor the stacking apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a front loading end elevational view of the apparatus withportions deleted for clarity and showing the driving motor for theconveying systems.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the conveyorbelt systems taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the switchingmechanism for the stacking, the same being taken substantially along theline 66 of FIG. I.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, the same being takensubstantially along the line 77 of FIG. 1 and showing the switchingmechanism.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view ofa further embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a discharge end elevational view of the apparatus illustratedin FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 10-10 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a simplified schematic illustration of a switching mechanismcontrol for the stacking device.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference numeral 10denotes a conveying and stacking apparatus constructed in accordancewith and embodying the invention. The apparatus 10 includes a frame 12including a substantially fiat rectangular baseplate 14. At a forwardend of the baseplate 14 a pair of columns 16 are positioned. The columns16 are mounted on the corners of the baseplate and are preferably formedof a steel channel. Similarly at the rear end of the baseplate 14 twocolumns 18 are positioned and mounted on the corners. The columns 18 arealso formed preferably of a steel channel. A rectangular base subframe20 joins the columns at their lower ends and is additionally mounted onthe baseplate 14.

The frame 12 additionally includes a subframe 22 which is alsorectangular in configuration and is secured to the columns 16, 18 attheir approximate mid height. The subframes 20, 22 maintain the columns16, 18 substantially vertical and rigidify the entire structure of theframe 12.

It should be noted that a flange 24 projects downwardly from thebaseplate 14 adjacent each corner thereof an axle 26 is rotatablyjournaled through registered openings of flanges 24. A wheel 28 issecured to each axle adjacent the ends thereof. This wheeled axlearrangement permits great mobility in the apparatus 10 thus enabling thedevice to be moved about in a bakery thereby enabling the device to beutilized in various work areas, and in conjunction with the unloadingand stacking of baked goods which are produced in any one of a number ofovens.

In accordance with the invention two endless conveyor belt systems arecarried between the front columns 16 and the rear columns 18. Bothconveyor belt systems are driven through a common axis which in fact isa rotatable shaft 30. The shaft 30 is journaled for rotation throughopenings adjacent the upper ends of the columns 16 and lies in agenerally horizontal axis. A pulley 32 extends beyond one of the columns16 and is en- 101074 nun gaged by an endless belt 34 which in turn isdriven by a drive pulley extending from the shaft of a driving motor 36.When the motor 36 is actuated it causes rotation of the pulley 32, thusrotating the shaft 30.

The shaft 30 includes a plurality of enlarged cylindrical sections. Afirst cylindrical section 38 (see broken away portions of FIGS. 3 and 4)is positioned adjacent one of the columns 16 and is of a length slightlyless than one-half the distance between the columns 16. The shaft 30also includes two narrower cylindrical sections 40, 42 which are spacedfrom the broad cylindrical section 38 and from each other.

it should be additionally noted that a pair of circular sawblades 44, 46are secured to the shaft 30 lying in a plane perpendicular to the axisof the shaft and are spaced between the broad cylindrical section andthe narrow cylindrical section 40 adjacent thereto and additionallybetween the two narrow cylindrical sections 40, 42 respectively. Thepurpose of the circular sawblades will be subsequently described.

At the opposite terminal portions of the conveyor system two separateshafts 48, 50 are used in association with the broad and narrowcylindrical sections respectively. It should be initially observed thatthe axes of the shafts 48, 50 lie at different elevations with the axisof the shaft 48 in the same horizontal plane as the shaft 30 and theaxis of the shaft 50 at an elevation below that of the shaft 30. Theshafts 48, 50 are journaled at one of their ends through the columns 18and at their other end through spaced openings in a strut member 52projecting upwardly from the subframe 22 and lying within a verticalplane passing between the columns 18. Each of the shafts 48, 50 includesenlarged cylindrical sections corresponding to those on the shafts 30.

As was previously mentioned, the apparatus includes two endless conveyorbelt systems. The first endless conveyor belt system includes a broadendless belt 54 which is drawn between the broad cylindrical sections.The belt 54 lies substantially within a horizontal plane and the uppersurface thereof moves in a path of travel from the columns 16 towardsthe columns 18 and carries thereon a plurality of baked goods.

A second conveyor belt system includes two narrow endless conveyor belts56, 58 which are drawn between the narrow cylindrical sections 40, 42and their corresponding cylindrical sections on the shaft 50respectively. Due to the difference in elevation ofthe shafts 30, 50 thenarrow belts 56, 58 run along a downward incline between the columns 16at the front ofthe apparatus 10 and the columns 18 at the rear thereof.The first conveyor system including the broad belt 54 is designed tocarry a double row of baked items 55, e.g., rolls, biscuits, buns,muffins, etc., from an oven. The oven preferably includes a conveyorfeeding system which feeds the baked items 55 to the belt 54.Additionally, each of the narrow belts 56 58 is designed to carry asingle row of baked items 55 from the oven. Usually the baked goodsitems 55 leave the oven in a matrix or series. The series leaving theoven for which the present apparatus 10 is designed in a seriesincluding a course of four items 55 which are usually interconnectedadjacent their lower portions. The course extends in a directionperpendicular to the paths of travel of the belts.

In order to separate the series of four items 55 so that individualsingle rows of items 55 will be carried on the narrow belts and a doublerow ofitems 55 will be carried on the broad belt, a parting device 60 isprovided. The parting device 60 includes the two circular sawblades 44,46 previously described. The blades 44, 46 are relatively thick androtate in unison with the shaft 30. it will be observed that when aseries of baked goods items is delivered at the forward end of theapparatus 10, the rotating blades 44, 46 cut the series into a twin rowof buns which is deposited on the moving broad belt 54 and single rowswhich are deposited on the narrow belts 56,58.

In order to further insure that the baked goods items are properlyseparated, an annular spacer 62 is secured to each face of each blade.The spacer 62 is in abutting contact with the adjacent cylindricalportions and includes a tapered edge leading from the outer surface ofeach spacer to the respective blade face. The tapered edges of thespacers further serve to separate the baked goods items, therebyinsuring proper seating of the items on the appropriate belts.

The conveying and stacking apparatus of the present inventionadditionally includes a device for stacking the baked goods itemscarried on the broad belt 54 on top of the baked goods items carried ona narrow belt. The stacking device includes an endless sprocket chain 64having a plurality of hooks 66 which urge baked goods items 55 from thebroad belt to the narrow belt. The sprocket chain 64 includes aplurality of hingedly pined links and is secured between two toothedwheels 68, 70 which lie in a vertical plane perpendicular to the pathsof travel of the belts 54, 56 and 58.

In order to support the toothed wheels and hence the stacking device, astud 72 is secured to opposite sides of the sub frames 20, 22 adjacentyet spaced from the columns 18 with each of the studs extending in adirection parallel to the columns 18 and having a length approximatelythe same as the columns 18. An axle 74 is journaled for rotation betweenthe column 18 and the stud 72, and with the toothed wheel 70 secured tothe axle. It should be additionally noted that the axle 74 extendsbeyond the stud 72 and adjacent the end of the axle, a pulley 76 ismounted. The pulley 76 is driven by a motor 78 mounted on the stud 72. Abelt drive is positioned between the pulley and the motor. On theopposite side of the apparatus 10, an axle 80 is journaled for rotationbetween the corresponding column 18 and stud 72. To this axle thetoothed wheel 68 is secured.

Returning again to the sprocket chain 64, arcuate hooks 66 are securedto one individual link thereof. The hook 66 travels in a generallyhorizontal plane along the bottom portion ofthe course ofthe chain.

It will be appreciated that the hook 66 extends a distance to engage thebaked goods items 55 carried on the broad belt 54, and urges them acrossand on top of the baked goods items 55 carried on the narrow belts 56,58 thereby resulting in a stacking operation. After the stacked bakedgoods items 55 pass the stacking device, they are delivered to apackaging area.

[f a quantity of baked goods are continuously issuing from a conveyordelivery system within an oven and are deposited on to the first andsecond conveyor system of the present invention, the driving motor 36 ofthe conveyor system is operating at a rate such that by the time thebaked goods reach the stacking area of the device 10 they have cooledsufficiently to preclude damage due to stacking and subsequentpackaging.

Furthermore, the motor 78 runs at a speed such that the hooks 66 move toaccommodatingly contact and stack each course of the baked goods itemson the belt 54, as each pair of baked goods items forming a course inthe double row carried on the broad belt passes the stacking means, ahook 66 contacts the baked goods and stacks them on the associated bakedgoods carried on the narrow belt.

Alternatively the present invention includes means whereby the stackingdevice may be intermittently operated by the baked goods items 55themselves if the baked goods are not issuing from the oven in acontinuous stream. This actuating means (see FIGS. 6, 7 and 11) includesa switch 82 (normally open) mounted to a plate 84 which extends from theinner face of the stud 72 to which the motor 78 is mounted. A striplever 86 is pivotally mounted to the plate 84 and a portion thereofextends into the path of baked goods items being carried on the broadbelt. When a baked goods item 55 passes the trip lever 86, the leverrotates, forcing a triggering element 89 of the switch 82, therebyactuating a circuit which powers the motor 78. A return spring 88returns the lever 86 to its normal position after the baked goods itemshave passed the lever 86. The circuitry 82 includes a timer 81 triggeredby the switch 82 which provides a timed duration in which the motor 78operates and then resets itself. The timed duration of motor operationis sufficient to move a hook 66 a distance sufficient to stack a singlecourse.

inir u in an alternate embodiment of the invention as illustrated inFIGS. 8-10 wherein like numbers including the suffix a designate likeparts in the previous embodiment the two conveyor systems both includebroad belts 54a and 55a. The broad belt 54a is identical in structureand operation to the broad belt 54 previously described, and the broadbelt 55 is a single belt which replaces the narrow belts 56, 58 therebyrelieving the necessity ofincluding a second circular saw.

This embodiment also includes a discharge chute 90 secured between thecolumns 18a and 52a and being downwardly inclined to discharge thestacked baked goods to a packaging station.

In all other respects this embodiment is identical to the previousembodiment and in operation each of the broad belts 54a, 55 carries twinrows of baked goods and a stacking device transfers a course of twoadjacent baked goods items forming a part of the twin row on the broadbelt 54a to associated baked goods items on the broad belt 55.

it can be seen that the conveying system and stacking apparatus of thepresent invention is simple in operation, sturdy, durable, easilytransportable for various applications in a single bakery and provides asanitary means for stacking baked goods items so that they may besubsequently packaged while additionally insuring that sufficient timehas elapsed for proper cooling of the baked goods prior to packaging,thereby eliminating possible damage to the baked goods.

Thus it will be observed that there is provided a conveying and stackingapparatus which achieves the various objects of the invention and whichis well suited to meet the conditions ofpractical use.

What is claimed is:

l. A conveying and stacking apparatus for baked goods, said apparatuscomprising a first conveyor belt system, means moving the first conveyorbelt system, the first system having a path of travel lying along afirst plane and being adapted to transport baked goods from an ovenalong said path of travel, a second conveyor belt system, means movingthe second conveyor belt system, the second conveyor belt system havinga path of travel extending along a second plane, the second plane beinginclined with respect to the first plane, the second conveyor beltsystem carrying baked goods from the oven along its path of travel, thefirst plane and the inclined second plane intersecting at a lineperpendicular to the paths of travel, a baked goods stacking device, thedevice including an endless member, a protuberance projecting from theendless member, means moving the endless member in a path so that theprotuberance contacts baked goods on the first conveyor system and movessaid last-mentioned baked goods in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the path of travel of the first conveyor belt system,the last mentioned baked goods being urged by the protuberance to aposition wherein it is stacked on top of baked goods carried on thesecond conveyor belt system, the path of the endless member layingadjacent the path of the conveyor belt systems at a point rearwardlyalong the path of travel of the line of intersection of the planes, themeans moving the conveyor belt systems moving the systems at a rate ofspeed sufficient to allow suitable cooling of the baked goods to preventinjury during stacking whereby the baked goods are automatically stackedand carried to a position suitable for packaging.

2. A device constructed in accordance with claim 1, wherein a partingdevice is provided between the first and second conveyor belt systems,said parting device separating a course of baked goods items to therebypermit carrying of rows of the baked goods on each of the conveyor beltsystems.

3. A device constructed in accordance with claim 2, wherein the firstconveyor system includes a single endless belt, the second conveyorsystem includes a plurality of endless belts, the endless belt of thefirst conveyor system being of a width greater than the width of thebelts of the second conveyor system, and a further parting device isprovided, said parting device separating adjacent endless belts of thesecond conveyor belt system, whereby single rows of individual bakedgoods may be carried on the second conveyor belt system and a double rowof baked goods may be carried on the first conveyor belt system.

4. -A device constructed in accordance with claim 2, wherein the partingdevice includes a circular blade, the paths of travel of the conveyorbelt systems commence at a common shaft, the circular blade beingsecured to the common shaft and rotating therewith.

5. A device constructed in accordance with claim 1, wherein a shaft isprovided, the shaft drivingly engaging the systems, the paths of travelof the systems commencing at the shaft, the means moving the first andsecond conveyor belt systems including motor means, a power transfermember, the power transfer member being engaged between the motor meansand the shaft to thereby rotate the shaft.

6. A device constructed in accordance with claim 1, wherein means isprovided to actuate the means moving the endless member, the actuatingmeans including a switch and a trip member, the trip member beingpositioned within the path of travel of the first conveyor belt systemand being actuated by an article of baked goods being carried on thefirst conveyor belt system.

7. A device constructed in accordance with claim 1, further including aframe, the conveyor belt systems being carried by the frame, the frameincluding a plurality of wheels, whereby the device may be moved aboutto facilitate the packaging of baked goods at a variety of work stationswithin a bakery.

8. A device constructed in accordance with claim 1, wherein the endlessmember is a chain, a pair of toothed wheels, the chain extending betweenthe toothed wheels, a pair of axles, each of the axles being journaledfor rotation along an axis perpendicular to the line of intersection ofthe planes and each of the wheels being secured to one of the axles.

9. A device constructed in accordance with claim 8, wherein theprotuberance is a hook member, the chain being formed of a plurality oflinks, means hingedly securing adjacent links, the hook being secured toa single link, the hook being arcuately shaped and adapted to engage anarticle of baked goods without deforming the article.

10. A device constructed in accordance with claim 9, wherein a pluralityof protuberances are included, on the chain.

1. A conveying and stacking apparatus for baked goods, said apparatuscomprising a first conveyor belt system, means moving the first conveyorbelt system, thE first system having a path of travel lying along afirst plane and being adapted to transport baked goods from an ovenalong said path of travel, a second conveyor belt system, means movingthe second conveyor belt system, the second conveyor belt system havinga path of travel extending along a second plane, the second plane beinginclined with respect to the first plane, the second conveyor beltsystem carrying baked goods from the oven along its path of travel, thefirst plane and the inclined second plane intersecting at a lineperpendicular to the paths of travel, a baked goods stacking device, thedevice including an endless member, a protuberance projecting from theendless member, means moving the endless member in a path so that theprotuberance contacts baked goods on the first conveyor system and movessaid last-mentioned baked goods in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the path of travel of the first conveyor belt system,the last mentioned baked goods being urged by the protuberance to aposition wherein it is stacked on top of baked goods carried on thesecond conveyor belt system, the path of the endless member layingadjacent the path of the conveyor belt systems at a point rearwardlyalong the path of travel of the line of intersection of the planes, themeans moving the conveyor belt systems moving the systems at a rate ofspeed sufficient to allow suitable cooling of the baked goods to preventinjury during stacking whereby the baked goods are automatically stackedand carried to a position suitable for packaging.
 2. A deviceconstructed in accordance with claim 1, wherein a parting device isprovided between the first and second conveyor belt systems, saidparting device separating a course of baked goods items to therebypermit carrying of rows of the baked goods on each of the conveyor beltsystems.
 3. A device constructed in accordance with claim 2, wherein thefirst conveyor system includes a single endless belt, the secondconveyor system includes a plurality of endless belts, the endless beltof the first conveyor system being of a width greater than the width ofthe belts of the second conveyor system, and a further parting device isprovided, said parting device separating adjacent endless belts of thesecond conveyor belt system, whereby single rows of individual bakedgoods may be carried on the second conveyor belt system and a double rowof baked goods may be carried on the first conveyor belt system.
 4. Adevice constructed in accordance with claim 2, wherein the partingdevice includes a circular blade, the paths of travel of the conveyorbelt systems commence at a common shaft, the circular blade beingsecured to the common shaft and rotating therewith.
 5. A deviceconstructed in accordance with claim 1, wherein a shaft is provided, theshaft drivingly engaging the systems, the paths of travel of the systemscommencing at the shaft, the means moving the first and second conveyorbelt systems including motor means, a power transfer member, the powertransfer member being engaged between the motor means and the shaft tothereby rotate the shaft.
 6. A device constructed in accordance withclaim 1, wherein means is provided to actuate the means moving theendless member, the actuating means including a switch and a tripmember, the trip member being positioned within the path of travel ofthe first conveyor belt system and being actuated by an article of bakedgoods being carried on the first conveyor belt system.
 7. A deviceconstructed in accordance with claim 1, further including a frame, theconveyor belt systems being carried by the frame, the frame including aplurality of wheels, whereby the device may be moved about to facilitatethe packaging of baked goods at a variety of work stations within abakery.
 8. A device constructed in accordance with claim 1, wherein theendless member is a chain, a pair of toothed wheels, the chain extendingbetween the toothed wheels, a pair of axles, each of the axles beingjourNaled for rotation along an axis perpendicular to the line ofintersection of the planes and each of the wheels being secured to oneof the axles.
 9. A device constructed in accordance with claim 8,wherein the protuberance is a hook member, the chain being formed of aplurality of links, means hingedly securing adjacent links, the hookbeing secured to a single link, the hook being arcuately shaped andadapted to engage an article of baked goods without deforming thearticle.
 10. A device constructed in accordance with claim 9, wherein aplurality of protuberances are included, on the chain.